Earning his MPA while working full-time for the fire department
Meet new student Ryan Campbell!
Hometown: Boston, MA
Alma Mater: Western Carolina University with a BS in Criminal Justice. Arizona State University with a MA in Emergency Management.
Current job title/Employer: Administrative Division Manager, Town of Chapel Hill Fire Department
Public Administration Interest Areas: Smarter Cities, Housing Affordability, Safety & Security,
Q: Why the MPA? How did you decide it was the right degree for you and your career goals?
Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about making a positive impact on my community and contributing to effective governance. I decided to pursue an MPA to deepen my understanding of the field and practice of public administration. I recognized that an MPA would provide me with the specialized knowledge and skills necessary to excel as an aspiring leader in government. The program’s focus on local government leadership, policy development, and public finance aligns closely with my career goals and will enable me to develop a deeper understanding of the intricacies of municipal management.
Q: There are lots of places out there to get your MPA. How did you end up at Carolina?
While I looked at almost every online (and many in person) MPA programs over the last few years there were three main reasons I decided to attend Carolina. Most important to my decision was the program’s faculty and concentration in local government. I have worked in government for over a decade and I can’t speak highly enough about the various experiences I’ve had with UNC’s School of Government. The ability to take more in-depth courses with industry leaders was an opportunity that I felt was too good to pass up. Additionally, the programs national ranking ensures that my degree will have recognition and value to me professionally wherever my career takes me. Finally, several members of our town’s senior leadership team are alumni of Carolinas’ MPA program. As I evaluated programs and talked with my colleagues about their experiences, every one of them shared overwhelmingly positive experiences and feedback.
Q: Is there a class or professor or experience you are looking forward to in the program?
There are two main academic experiences I’m looking forward to. The first is the MPA immersion course offerings. These in person deep dive courses are appealing both in their specialized topics as well as the opportunity for online and in person students to come together. The other experience I am looking for is a bit more personal and selfish in nature. The UNC MPA program allows for a few elective courses that give students a chance to explore an area of interest. While an MPA made the most sense for me professionally I’m really excited to take a public policy class with Professor Jess Anderson. Had I not gone the MPA route, I would’ve gone MPP. The flexibility to take a class with someone whose is so well educated, practiced, and regarded in the world of public policy will be an amazing opportunity.
- Last question for fun, what are you currently reading or listening to?
The Authority Gap by Mary Ann Sieghart! It started as a TED talk I found and got hooked on after hearing that female supreme court justices are interrupted 3x as often as males and that women are 6x more likely to be dismissed in group meetings than their male counterparts. I’m now doing the full book (okay, as an audio book while I drive to and from work). It’s a really interesting deep dive into the largely unconscious and systemic quantitative and qualitative ways the world takes women less seriously than men. I think as a husband and as a leader It’s such an impactful book to continue to shape how I support the people in my personal and professional life. That…or Taylor Swift.
